The Irish standard., 1887-07-30

the clear, but not sweet voice, why
didn't you keep your nasty old cart out
of the way?'
Brian advanced from the shadow of
the Finger post, with the intention of
assisting the poor wayfarers. Hestood
so close to the lady that she might have
touched him with her hand. Their
eyes met, and the stare of astonishment
with which she at first regarded him,
gave place to one partly of shame and
partly of pain, as she drew back and
leant her head against the soft lining of
the carriage.
Brian set about putting the donkey's
cart to rights with his own hands. But
as he did so, he breathed hard, and
mentally exclaimed, Good heavens!
how a woman's nature can be changed!
1 have seen those eyes filled with tears
at the sight of distress. 1 have heard
that voice become tremulous as it whis-
pered kindly words into the ear of
wretchedness.' He was cut short by
the old woman, who had just found the
linchpin which she had been cropping
for. The Lord bless you, Mr.. Purcell,
she exclaimed, sure tits to lose our pas
sage we would, on'y for you. An He
will bless you, an reward you, for you
wor always ready wud a helpin' hand
for the poor.'
Here Brian noticed for the first time
little boy who, quite in manly way,
was helping to tackle the ass, and who
had just inquired of the boy who was
driving how many links he was to hang
in the draught?' Brian could not help
smiling at the figure the little fellow cut.
His outer garment was a mans waist
coat, which reached to the calves of his
sturdy little legs. A huge felt hathung
crosswise on his poll. and seemed every
moment to threaten to fall down over
his face and extinguish him. He held
a formidable tblackthorn' uLder his arm,
which, having completed the 'tackling'
process, he was about applying to the
donkey's back to make him pull out of
the way for the carriage to pass, wren
Brian laid hold of him by the shoulders.
'Neddy!' said he in establishment,
what on earth brought you here?'
Coin to America, SIR replied the
boy, half frightened, but resolutely.
But, Ned, my man, what will your
poor mother do?'
The boys lip trembled as he replied:
Hasn't she Norah, an Tom, an Corney
an Willie?'
But you're the biggest, Ned
'I'll go to America wild my daddy ex-
claimed the boy retreating backwards
as if he feared Brian thought of COM
pelling him to return by force. Brian
understood the whole case at once
Here was Connor Shea's eldest son, after
stealing away from his mother, resolved
to follow the father that loved him and
was so proud of him, and away from
whom the boy thought he could not
live even for month. The waistcoat,
and the hat, and the formidable black
thorn illustrated poor Neddy's notions
of equipment for voyage across the
Atlantic. After a moments reflection,
Brian put his finger to his lips and
whistled. In an instant, ano her whistle
as loud and piercing replied from the
upper end of the gap Brian whistled
a second time, and many minutes did
not elapse when Connor Shea was seen
hnrrV1np down tha hill
What's the matter?' he asked, in
Brian pointed to the little boy, who
stood bolt upright before him. The
fathers heart swelled as he looked at
him, and turning away his head he
dashed the tears repeatedly from his
eyes before he was able to speak.
NOW, Neddy,' said he, like good
fellow go back with Mr.. Purcell
Wouldn't you rather stay at home and
mind the rest of 'em for me till I'm
sendin' for the whole of ye together
when I'll have the grand new house
built an ready an all for YEP
The boy looked at him in silence for
moment, his face swollen with the in
tensity of his emotion. He then rushed
to his father, and locking his arms round
his knees, uttered a shrek, so shrill, so
piercing, So lIduSuI Will Ull6 dSOuy VI
the young creatures heart, that both
Brian and the father stood for moment
pertifed, not knowing what to do.
The boy clung convulsively to his
fathers legs. The lady in the carriage
forgot the impassiveness upon which
she had prided herself, and alighted and
stood by Brian Purcell's side.
sWhat am to do?" said COnnor Shea.
Bring him with you,' replied Brian, !
and II send them over and let his
mother know what has happened the
moment reach home.'
Come, Neddy,' said Connor, I'll take
Mr.. Purcell's advice, and let you come
with me- The boy let 90 his hold, and
stood bv his side, sobbing tremulously,
but making great efforts to suppress
his emotion.
DO you know me?' inquired the lady,
stooplng low, and speaking into his
ear.
No, ma am
DO you X kney nov, that Mr.. Purcell is
Il do, ma'am.'
And did you never hear who was
your godmother?'
NO, ma'am,' said the boy, taking
courage to look into her face.
The lady remained lost in thought for